I felt a strange sense of nostalgia as I stood on the McCall residence door step. I wasn't exactly sure where I was supposed to go upon arriving in Beacon Hills but this was the first place that made sense. Although I was pissed at them all for calling me so late after they had descended into crisis, I felt a sense of exhilaration and excitement as I knocked on the door. I waited for a moment, but there was no reply. I tried again. Still nothing. This wasn't exactly boding well for my dramatic return. I glanced behind me, noticing several cars pulled up in the driveway. Someone must be home. I turned back to the door with a huff before a smirk made its way onto my lips. I took a deep breath to prepare myself, and then I kicked the door in.

The latched popped open and the door swung inwards, crashing against the inside wall as I stepped inside, a satisfied smirk on my face. I was met by half a dozen or so shocked faces. Some I recognised. Some I didn't. My eyes skimmed quickly over them, my gaze fixing on the alpha.

'Am I interrupting something?' I asked, letting my features sink back into my usual standoffish face.

'Alex.' Stiles voice from across the room, causing my vision to snap to him. 'You're here.'

'You called, I came,' I replied matter of factly. I noticed Scott shoot his friend a questioning look out of the corner of my eye. I took a moment to scan the faces I didn't recognise. One I found vaguely familiar. He had a darker complexion and stood nervously next to Scott and Malia. The others stood across the room, a smaller one who didn't look much over sixteen and another, taller one who eyed me carefully, his stare making me uncomfortable, though I didn't show it.

'Who the hell are you?' the smaller one asked. His voice was quiet and I rounded on him with a harsh glare.

'I could ask you the same,' I shot back.

'Her name's Alex,' Lydia spoke up, her input surprising me. 'She's here to help.'

'Where's Derek?' Stiles asked as if suddenly realising he should have been there too. With me.

'He couldn't make it to the party,' I said, shrugging off his question nonchalantly.

'Are you human or supernatural?' the boy asked and I turned back to see he had raised a brow at me. I raised one back.

'Depends who you ask,' I replied, not wanting to let any information slip out in front of strangers.

'We can do introductions later,' Scott said, silencing all of us. 'Right now, we need to find Liam and Hayden.' I wanted to ask who Hayden was again but considering everyone seemed so hell bent on rescuing her, I was sure she was someone important.

'I'm going with you,' the guy next to Scott said.

'Oh, did you suddenly get super wolf powers?' Stiles commented sarcastically. 'I wasn't aware of that development.'

'Well, if you're not going, I could use the help,' Scott said.

'No, I'm coming just as soon as I talk to my dad. They're moving the body and he wants to make sure that this time no one steals it,' Stiles said. I shot him a quizzical look but he ignored it 'Whoever took the last one was strong enough to flip my Jeep.'

'Wait, what?' I asked incredulously. Again, I was ignored.

'We can bring Theo,' Malia suggested, pointing to the taller one.

'Maybe I better stay here,' Theo replied. 'You know, in case the Doctors decide to make a house call for Corey.'

'We need to go,' Scott said urgently. 'Liam and Hayden could already be dead.'

'Then let's go,' Malia suggested, nodding towards the door. Scott looked at me expectantly, as if asking me if I was coming along.

'You know what, think I'll stay too,' I replied, feigning composure as I caught Stiles' gaze. Scott nodded once before he took off, Malia and the other boy hot on his heels. Once they were out of the door, Stiles made to leave. I caught his arm when he was half way to the door, yanking him closer to me. He yelped a little as I did it, but fingers pressing into his shoulder.

'You didn't tell Scott that you asked me to come?!' I whispered harshly into his ear.

'Look, I'm sorry, okay, but things have been pretty hectic around here,' he explained. I let my grip slacken a little.

'Whatever,' I said with a roll of my eyes. 'I'll come with you to the hospital.'

'No, no,' he said quickly, his voice still hushed so the others couldn't here. 'I need you to stay here and keep an eye on Theo.' I frowned at his words.

'You mean that kid,' I said pointedly, jerking my head in his direction. He did look arrogant and like he would be a pain in my ass, but other than that, he seemed harmless.

'I don't trust him,' he said and I shot him a look.

'I'm not here to babysit, Stiles,' I said, growing irritated.

'I know, but this is important,' he said. His eyes were pleading and finally, I agreed. 'Don't let him out of your sight,' he said as he rushed to the door.

'Hey Stiles,' I called after him. His head span around in my direction. 'It's good to see you.'

'You too,' he smiled weakly but sincerely. I watched him leave as I bit my lip, my arms folding across my chest as I turned to the remaining three.

Theo was leaning over the boy, Corey, and examining the back of his neck. I strode over, setting myself down on the arm of the couch.

I beckoned Lydia over to me, asking her to fill me in on as much as she could from the last three weeks. The strawberry blonde talked in quick phrases, but soon, I had a better picture on what was happening in Beacon Hills.

'It healed, didn't it?' Corey said, pulling Lydia and I from our conversation.

'Yeah. Completely,' Theo replied.

'Okay, then. It's been fun,' the kid said as he rose from the chair. 'Especially the part where a werewolf forced his way into my brain with his claws!' I rolled my eyes at how dramatic he was being. It wasn't like he died or anything.

'I don't think leaving is such a good idea, Corey,' Theo warned as the kid edged closer to the door. 'You know, Lydia's a Banshee. It means she can tell when someone's close to death.' This ought to be good. 'Lydia, what happens if he walks out that door?' he asked.

'It's bad,' she replied, trying to sound ominous. 'Very bad.' Even an idiot would have known it was complete bullshit.

'I'll take my chances,' Corey said, as predicted.

'Then give us a better chance at finding our friends,' Theo prompted. 'What else did you see?' Corey sighed.

'They took me outta my room at the hospital,' he said as he remembered what the Dread Doctors had done to him. 'And then the tunnels. Like I already told you.'

'There has to be more,' Lydia inputted as the three of us stared quizzically at the kid.

'There was a basement,' Corey said, suddenly remembering. 'In a house. It was old, covered in dust and... There was a broken stone wall with a large hole in it. Like a bomb went off.' I raised an eyebrow at his words. What the hall had been going on in this town.

'Lydia, the werewolf with the talons,' Theo started, looking toward the strawberry blonde girl. 'The one who attacked Scott. Didn't Parrish say that he smashed through the wall of a basement?'

'Yeah,' Lydia said ominously. 'It was exactly like that.' As she spoke, her gaze rose as she sent us all a knowing look.

'That's it,' Theo said. 'That's where Liam and Hayden are.'

'Then let's go,' Lydia suggested as she started towards the door with Theo.

'Wait!' I said suddenly. They two turned around and shot me a quizzical look. 'Lydia, you should stay here with Corey. I'll go.' She raised an eyebrow at me questioningly. 'Just in case,' I added, shooting her a pointed look. She knew what I meant. In case the Dread Doctors showed up. In case there was a fight and she got hurt. I was better at handling getting hurt than pretty much anybody. She nodded in understanding. Theo looked between us, a little apprehensive. I shot him a glare.

'Come on,' I said, running out the front door with him following after. 'We can take my car,' I said when we made it outside.

'I think I should drive,' he suggested. I shot him another glare.

'No way I'm letting you drive my car,' I replied, as if the mere thought disgusted me.

'Do you know where we're going?' he asked. I didn't reply, throwing the keys at his head which he caught effortlessly, much to my annoyance. He rolled his eyes as he climbed into the driver's seat and we pulled out of the drive to save Liam and Hayden.

'I've heard about you,' Theo said, breaking the silence as we sped through the darkened streets of Beacon Hills. I chose to ignore his statement. 'You can heal, right?'

'Yeah,' I sighed as I stared out the passenger window.

'That's pretty impressive,' he said, his compliment reminding me of Peter Hale right before he shot me in the head. I raised a disbelieving eyebrow at him.

'Are you flirting with me?' I asked incredulously, eyeing the cocky smirk on Theo's lips.

'Would it be an issue if I was?' he retorted confidently as he glanced at me briefly. I knew he was just trying to mess with me, but even so, I wasn't just going to back down. I wasn't that kind of person.

'You're not really my type,' I said, looking him up and down as if the very suggestion made my stomach church. Which it did.

'I thought werewolves were your type,' he said with a smirk. His remark caught me off guard and I found myself having to try extra hard to keep my features schooled. I let my lip curve up in amusement.

'Werewolves, maybe. Arrogant teenagers…' I paused, pretending to think. 'I think I'll pass. I don't date children.' I kept my voice distasteful, hoping the comment would get under his skin. He chuckled dryly.

'So, Stiles asked you to come back to help?' he asked, the swift change of subject not passing me by unnoticed. I rested my foot against the dashboard and fiddled with my laces.

'Yeah,' I replied.

'Why'd you leave Beacon Hills in the first place?' he asked.

'Can we skip sharing time?' I asked dryly. I wished he would just quit talking.

'I heard you and Stiles earlier,' he said. My gaze flicked back to him. 'I know he asked you to keep an eye on me.' I contemplated denying it, but I knew it would be fruitless. Why waste my energy?

'Yeah, you're right,' I said, 'You're new around here, it's gonna take some time before Stiles will let you braid his hair.' I hoped my sarcasm would have to desired effect.

'Is that the job you're here for?' he quipped and I shot him a glare. I could see that we were pulling up to an old house so I sat up straighter, pulling my Glock from the back of my jeans. I watched him as he tensed a little, which I found satisfying, but his expression remained unfazed.

'What's that for?' he asked as I released the clip to check I had enough ammunition.

'It's for the bad guys,' I said as we pulled over and climbed out of the vehicle. 'And anyone who pisses me off.'

'Is that a threat?' he said, clearly amused. I grabbed the top of his shirt with one hand and pushed him back against the car with my free hand.

'Let me get one thing straight,' I spat, my tone completely serious. 'I have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to supernatural jackasses. You ever cross me or my friends, I'll make you regret it.' He slowly reached up, his fingers curling around my wrist of the hand that held him. He pulled back, easing my hand away from his chest as he prised my fingers from the fabric of his t-shirt. The manoeuvre was calm, yet demonstrated how much stronger he was than me, his actions intimidating me more than I cared to admit.

'Let me get one thing straight,' he said, growing serious himself. 'Whilst you took a vacation with your boyfriend, I was the one here looking out for everyone else.' He paused for impact, letting his words sink in. 'Thanks for the warning, but if I were you, I'd think twice before threatening the person who's trying to save the people weboth care about.' He released me and strode away towards the house. I watched after him in shock. 'Are you coming?' he called, snapping me from my daze. I huffed before running after him.

'I want my car keys back.'

'Liam!' I yelled as we approached the old, withered house. We walked down past the front porch to when the basement entrance was, coming across a metal gate. It had gradually been getting darker and darker since we left Scott's house, and now, the whole building seemed to be cast in one giant shadow. I shivered slightly.

'Liam! Hayden!' we both continued to yell, listening out for a reply. There was shuffling in the darkness ahead of us, and then the silhouette of two people on the ground.

'There,' I said, pointing towards them as we both picked up the pace.

'Liam,' Theo shouted as he sped past me towards them, the two teens becoming more visible the closer we got.

'Theo, don't!' I heard Liam call but it was too late. As soon a Theo laid a hand on the metal, his body jolted uncontrollable as volts of electricity coursed through his veins. The gate sparked a brilliant white light and Theo was thrown to the ground. I stopped just behind where he lay, looking down at him with mild concern.

'Theo!' Liam yelled from the other side of the bars. 'Theo, you alright?'

'Yeah,' the werewolf groaned. I held out a hand to him and yanked him up. He smiled briefly at me in gratitude before turning back to the basement.

'Alex?' I heard Liam say disbelievingly when he noticed me.

'Hey,' I said a little awkwardly. 'You two doing okay in there?' I asked, eyeing the girl's, Hayden's, blood stained shirt with concern. The both nodded.

I held a hand out, my fingers hovering above the bar before I forced my hand onto it. I could only hold on for a few seconds before the pain was too much. I took my hand off quickly, shaking it to try to get rid of the pain. I tried again, this time refusing to remove my hand. The electricity felt like fire under my skin, each second in contact with it was ten times worse than the last. I gritted my teeth together to keep myself from screaming as I tried to pull the gate apart, but I couldn't hold it in. As I shouted in pain, the electricity sent me stumbling backwards. As soon as I'd let go, the pain disappeared as my ability healed any damage that had been done.

'I can't get it open,' I yelled in frustration as I tried again, this time the electricity causing me to scream as soon as my hand connected to it. The electricity jolted through me like relentless bullets and I was transported back three years.

My jaw clenched as I tried to conceal my screams as to not give The Chemist the satisfaction. I wasn't sure how much electricity my body could take. All I knew was that it was a lot. I didn't even bother asking him to stop, there was no point. I'd been asking him the same question for five months straight. As the voltage increased, I felt a tear escape from under my squeezed shut eyelids before I let out a blood curdling scream.

I breathed heavily as I released the gate from my hands. I wasn't sure how long I had been holding on for, but it was long enough for the heat of the electricity to burn through the flesh on my palms. They stung mildly before I watched the skin zip back up, the wounds leaving no scars. I looked up just as Theo looked away, but I knew he had seen it.

'Can you get help?' Liam asked as he staggered towards the gate.

'We are the help,' Theo told him. I watched as he took a deep breath and grasped the gate in both hands. His scream was more like a roar as he pulled on the live metal, trying to pull it free. With an almighty bang, the metal snapped open, releasing Liam and Hayden from the basement.

Theo slumped over as he breathed heavily, though he didn't collapse to the ground. After being reassured that he wouldn't pass out I ran over to Liam who was helping the girl to her feet. Hayden was a pretty girl, her hair dark like mine. She winced as Liam pulled her off the ground and I stood on the opposite side of her to support her weight as we lead them to the car.

We eased the girl into the back of the car slowly as she held her side. The blood was running black rather than red and I tried to remember if that was a fatal sign or not. She smiled gratefully at me but it came across as more of a grimace. I sent her one back before I climbed into the driver's seat to get the others to safety.

Scott, Malia and the boy, whose name I had learned was Mason, breathed a sigh of relief as they walked through the McCall front door and spotted Hayden and Liam on the couch.

I stood back as I watched Theo give an exhausted looking Scott a relieved and comforting hug. Scott patted him on the shoulder as they embraced, signalling how grateful he was to the beta for saving Liam and Hayden. As the emotional scene unfolded I noticed Scott take a step back as the others hugged and thanked Theo for helping them. I stepped closer to the alpha and he started slightly when he felt my hand squeeze his shoulder.

'You okay?' I asked him quietly as he watched on his pack. He didn't reply for a long time to the point where I wasn't sure if he had even heard my question.

'Yeah,' he finally breathed out, this voice absentminded. He turned away after a moment, muttering something about how he needed to call Stiles. I nodded understandingly as he left, but I couldn't help he feel concerned.

'Alex,' I heard from beside me and I turned, coming face to face with Theo. His lips turned up a little in a small smile, but somehow it still looked like he was frowning. He offered a hand to me, as if to say he wanted us to be friends, or at least get along. I took his hand and shook it, I sign of our mutual respect for each other. It represented that although we weren't in any way trusting of each other, we did believe we were on the same team.

However, at least on my part, the sincerity behind the gesture was fake. And I think he knew it too.

AN: There's chapter 9! Hope you liked it. Would love some feedback if you are enjoying the story or have any suggestions/comments :)

Let me know what you thought, much love x